Mcbryde Keeps Owls In Flight

Sophomore's Versatility Key For Team.

It was built before the start of this season, when it was decided center fielder Mike McBryde also would be a relief pitcher.

By putting a mound behind the dugout, McBryde could warm up between innings rather than going to the bullpen beyond the right field fence.

The plan has worked, as the sophomore from North Palm Beach Gardens High is having a season coach Kevin Cooney said makes him the leading candidate for the team's most valuable player.

"He seems to be in on everything," Cooney said. "Getting hits, stealing bases, running down balls in the outfield, getting strikeouts when he needs them."

McBryde is hitting .342 through 29 games, second best on the team, and leads the team in runs scored (31), at-bats (120), hits (41), total bases (51), stolen bases (23) and ERA (0.00 in 102/3 innings).

Even a broken thumb on his throwing hand in the 11th game of the season didn't slow down McBryde, who has earned the nickname "McFly" for his speed. McBryde couldn't pitch for a month, but played every game in the outfield.

FAU's young lineup has shown its immaturity, as the Owls are 18-11 overall and 6-6 in the Atlantic Sun.

The Owls host Belmont (16-13, 4-8) in a three-game series that starts at 7 tonight, followed by games at 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

With FAU's lineup lacking home run power, the Owls have relied on small ball to generate runs, and McBryde as leadoff hitter helps get things started.

"He's been a big part of winning games with his running and hitting. He doesn't have much chance to catch his breath sometimes," Cooney said.

McBryde had 39 starts and played in 54 games last year as a freshman, hitting .370.

While Cooney knew McBryde had a strong arm, he didn't try him on the mound until this fall.

"He was devastating," Cooney said about McBryde's low-90s fastball that he combines with a curve and changeup.

McBryde has struck out 19 of the 34 batters he has faced this season and given up just two hits and no runs.

"I'm really a thrower more than a pitcher," McBryde said. "I worked on a changeup and that has really helped."

While McBryde likes to pitch, he said the most important thing is to be on the field.

"Cooney has me running a lot more this year, and I like that," McBryde said.

"There's always something going on."

FAU had 67 stolen bases in 64 games last season, and has 63 in 29 this year.

McBryde would be getting a lot more work on the mound if freshman Mickey Storey hadn't emerged as the No. 1 closer.

"He's dominant," Cooney said about Storey, who is 2.1 with a 1.23 ERA and seven saves.